Facility managers are responsible for all aspects of a building, including maintenance, repairs, security, and amenities. The year 2021 hasn’t been easy for facility managers. With quarantine and lockdown still imposed on many countries, most industries have incorporated remote work to function in the economy.
Since 2019, there have been fewer business rentals and long-term contracts for facility managers. Without people in a building, there is hardly any cleaning and maintenance to be done. Facility management will never be entirely the same as it was, but there are positive changes on the rise to be expected. Read on to find out more.
Increased Contract Flexibility
With fewer employees at the office, there has been a massive reduction in estate footprint statistics. This has allowed corporate clients to negotiate more flexible contract terms and conditions. This offers facility managers the opportunity to utilize the space of the building better. Known as hot-desking, facility managers can reorganize the building to accommodate more clients of smaller groups.
The system takes assigned seating away completely, and space is provided only for the number of people that will be in the facility. Facility managers in 2022 will be able to house many different businesses in one building, each with a separate contract and financial investment.
Improved Health and Safety Regulations
If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that health and safety at the workplace and home are vitally important. Soon, occupational health and safety rules and regulations will be updated to incorporate a more vigorous approach to managing property and employees. The good news for facility managers is that with improved health and safety measures in place, insurance premiums will drop.
When advanced health and safety rules are in place, there is less chance for accidents to occur. To be covered, facility managers must have a business owner’s policy (BOP) which includes liability and commercial property insurance. If you are a facilities manager and you don’t yet have this in place, consider finding a reliable business owner’s policy today.
Integration of IoT
The internet of things is the connection of all the physical devices that are on Earth. This includes cell phones, iPads, laptops, desktop computers, the raspberry pi, and more. The most common trend of 2022 regardless of the industry is integration with computers and digital technology. It is now becoming mandatory for people to connect and communicate seamlessly with instant access and functionality.
Facility managers will need to identify the types of smart offices that businesses would benefit from and incorporate them accordingly. It is vitally important in virtually every industry that devices and employees are communicated all the time. It promotes productivity and enforces teamwork and is the next major trend that facility managers can expect.
Greater Focus on Transparency
In the past, facility managers operated in the shadows and only communicated with tenants when something needed to be repaired. Facility management includes a portion of customer service; however, in 2022, this is expected to become more integrated. The recent global impact of Covid-19 has shed light on areas within the workplaces that need to be improved, and this includes transparency and honesty across the board.
Facility managers will have to be involved in every step of the process while keeping customers informed. Both parties will have an active role in how the building will be maintained, and this will also be reliant on the function of the business in the facility. Customers will have the chance to make decisions with the facility manager about aspects of the building, such as custodial services and building layouts.
The current trends expected for 2022 will be more tailored to customer experience and maximizing facility space to house more tenants. Facility managers will no longer work on the sidelines in silence but will have a more dynamic role in the functions of the business that occupies the space. When it comes to taking care of the upkeep of commercial properties, refurbishing, or planning a new installation, facility managers have a lot of work to do. The new year will bring these major changes to the industry but they will ultimately improve the facility manager’s position.